Laing O'Rourke
Principal Planner

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Principal / Regional Planner
We are seeking an experienced Principal / Regional Planner with a strong MEP background and proven NEC3 Option C experience to lead planning, programme controls, and project scheduling across complex construction projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all planning and programme control activities from tender stage through to project completion.
- Develop, maintain and optimise project programmes, ensuring compliance with contract and project requirements.
- Provide planning input into tenders, work-winning activities and construction strategies.
- Identify critical milestones, key production outputs, resource requirements, risks and potential delays, implementing mitigation measures where required.
- Deliver robust project controls, reporting, forecasting and performance analysis for both client and business stakeholders.
- Produce clear records of events, time-related contract information and constructive project reports.
- Coordinate programme information across clients, stakeholders, supply chain partners and project teams.
- Integrate 3D/4D modelling and planning processes to support project delivery.
- Support procurement planning, resource allocation, commissioning activities and cost management.
- Lead, mentor and develop planning teams, promoting best practice, innovation and continuous improvement.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience in strategic planning, contract planning and project/programme controls.
- Strong knowledge of construction methodologies, procurement, design processes and project management systems.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain contract programmes and Programmes to Build.
- Commercially astute with a strong understanding of contract conditions and programme management techniques.
- Experienced in analysing project performance data and providing strategic recommendations.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High proficiency in planning software and project management tools.
Qualifications
Desired
- Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- CIOB membership or equivalent professional accreditation.
Personal Attributes
- Technical expert with strong planning and programme management capability.
- Proactive, commercially aware and solution-focused.
- Strong leader, mentor and team player.
- Logical thinker with excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Committed to quality, accuracy, health & safety and successful project delivery.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior planning professional who can drive programme excellence, influence project strategy and lead high-performing teams on complex and challenging projects.


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About Us
We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.
Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.
As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term health conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know prior to interview what adjustments are required as well as discussing how we can support you in the workplace.
We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email resourcingteam@laingorourke.com.
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